Come Up Here And See

As I think about Easter, I cannot help but think of the rooster crowing and what it meant for Peter and what it means for me today.

Denial is a harsh reality that all must face. I am grateful that Jesus told Peter ahead of time of what Peter would do and not only that, but Jesus gave Peter a time slot with a reminder of what he had done. That reminder was the rooster crowing twice. Wow can you imagine what it must have felt like to hear that rooster crow the second time. Sometimes I wonder, did Peter even hear the first time when the rooster crow or was it just like an alarm that we sleep through and do not even attend to. Who knows really but I do know that God in His mercy gave Peter the warning, the exact timing because of His grace and mercy.

Peter had just declared that never would it be possible for him to deny Christ even if all others did, no way, no how, Peter was sure that he would never stoop that low. But Jesus in His mercy tells Peter gently and firmly, well actually you will but don’t worry I have prayed for you, and you will come through. He also reminds Peter that he has an enemy, just like we all do, and that Jesus had already prayed for him. Wow that is so encouraging because we all need to be reminded that even if we open our big mouths, say things that are offensive, hurt others, Jesus is praying for us.

Luke 22: 31-34 NASB

³¹ “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has ^[d]demanded permission to sift you like wheat; ³² but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” ³³ But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” ³⁴ And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

Luke 22: 31 – 32 MSG “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”

Deny – to say that you did not do something that someone has accused you of doing –  verb transitive – MacMillan Dictionary

Denial– the action of declaring something to be untrue – noun – Oxford Dictionary

Peter is not alone in his denial because how many of us have ever said “Oh no I would never do that?”, either in the last week, last month, today or yesterday. Then the next question would be how many of us said that statement and never truly realized that we did say that.

Jesus was telling Peter as He is telling us today that we are the wheat, we are not the chaff which is worthless but we are the wheat, the expensive harvest that the farmer wants and needs to make a profit but we have an enemy who is trying to sift that valuable wheat, the precious rubies, diamonds, gemstones that we truly are and make us like chaff. He told him that He had already prayed for him and that He knew that Peter would come through in victory and ready to fulfill the plan, destiny, the prophetic call that was on Peter’s life and that gives me hope.

So, when I think of the rooster crowing, it is encouraging because I know that Jesus has already prayed for me, and the Word promises me that the Holy Spirit is also making intercession for me.

Romans 8: 34b NASB Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Hebrews 7: 25 NASB Therefore He is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Romans 8: 27b NASB because He, (the Holy Spirit) intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Wow, such love that God has for me. He has eyes to see of the future, the plans, the victory that He has for me. I also know that He wants me to spend time with Him so that I can see like He does so that when the rooster crows, it is crowing because of His mercy for me. He has so much more for me in my life, my family, my relationships, my prophetic calling, and He wants me to fulfill all, so graciously God has a rooster crowing to remind me just like he did with Peter, that yes, the enemy has desired to sift all of us like wheat and to destroy us, but that Jesus has come to give us life abundantly. YES, AND AMEN.

John 10: 10 MSG A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

When the rooster crows in our lives all that we need to do is fall on our knees, ask forgiveness, surrender to the Lord all and see ourselves and the denial that we committed. When we accept the Lord’s warnings and corrections quickly then dreams can be fulfilled, our future fulfilled, and our love walk will become sweeter with Him and others. It is the love, mercy and justice of God that provides with a crowing rooster.

Father God, I pray that You would continue to provide those crowing roosters in our lives each time that it is needed. I pray that we can face that mirror that You so sweetly give us so that repentance is accomplished and that with each time we would continue to align all our thoughts back to You therefore changing our mind about You. We know that only You can heal our broken hearts just like You did with Peter when that rooster crowed twice. We are grateful that every part of the Easter Story is written and given so that it provides truth and hope for us. Woo hoo! Thank you, Jesus for Your loving kindness and mercy, I am grateful. Amen.